Patriotic Americans of all political
persuasions are concerned about the recent radical changes
in U.S. foreign policy. There is mounting evidence that
the present course will weaken rather than strengthen
America's own security; reduce rather than increase
world stability; and create more hostility towards the
United States rather than admiration for our dynamic
economy and democratic way of life.

America needs a new national security policy rooted
in the bipartisan tradition that won the Cold War and
kept the peace -- a policy that combines strength, prudence,
realism, and multilateralism.

Since the end of World War II, American governments
led by both political parties have worked to bring nations
together to fight aggression, oppression, terrorism,
poverty, and environmental degradation. They have worked
to expand human and democratic rights, and to contain
radical ideologies and the proliferation of nuclear,
chemical, and biological weapons. Built largely through
American leadership, alliances and international institutions,
though imperfect, have established a long record of
enhancing international stability and promoting balanced
growth.

American policies that undercut these alliances and
institutions invite fragmentation and conflict. They
reduce our own security. Great damage was done to America's
own security and to the fabric of multilateral cooperation
by the manner in which the United States pursued virtually
unilateral war in Iraq. While the immediate war aim
of overthrowing Saddam Hussein succeeded, the collateral
damage was immense, and it continues.

New American Strategies for Security and Peace is a
collaborative effort sponsored by distinguished national
security experts, aimed at restoring the bipartisan
and multilateral tradition of realism in American foreign
policy. Our website, NewAmericanStrategies.org, will
offer a wide array of papers, articles, and research
materials that will help our country to restore a more
reliable strategy of security and peace.